Fresh from the high of securing qualification to the Europa League final, the Reds shift focus towards the Premier League as Watford visit Anfield in Liverpool’s penultimate home game of the season.
Back in December, when Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool visited Vicarage Road, they were bullied by a physically dominant and marauding Watford attack in a 3-0 defeat that the German concedes was the ‘worst performance’ by the Reds under his watch. Much has changed since then. Watford, who were then above Liverpool in the table, now sit 10 points above the drop zone in 13th place, while the Reds have managed to engineer two cup final appearances while putting up some noteworthy performances in the league.
Jurgen Klopp admitted that the intensity of Thursday’s semi-final against Villarreal definitely brings cause for considerable changes to the lineup. The German, however, has established that despite the Europa League being top priority at the moment, there is still a desire to finish as high in the league as possible in what will be a solid motivation to cap off a decent first season in England.
A run of two wins from the last nine games, including four consecutive losses in the month of March, has seen Quique Sanchez Flores tread troubled waters at Vicarage Road. The soft spoken Spaniard, who received critical acclaim for the manner in which he carried his Watford side in the first half of the season, has lost his way since the turn of the year and will want to banish rumours of a sacking with a positive display against the Reds.
Team news and tactics
Liverpool
Klopp’s plan to field a much changed line-up against Swansea last week backfired spectacularly as the Reds received a 3-1 thrashing by Francesco Guidolin’s side. In a bid to avoid a similar fate this time around, albeit against struggling Hornets, the German may impose lesser changes than he did last week to try keep the winning mentality going for the Reds.
The Reds’ boss has primarily gone with a 4-2-3-1 formation throughout his time at the club and it is unlikely he will do away with it at this stage of the season. The German could, however, even go with a 4-3-3 formation where he would field Firmino in a center-forward position ahead of a three-man midfield.
In a 4-2-3-1 lineup, the likes of Sheyi Ojo and Jordan Ibe are expected flank the sides with Roberto Firmino sitting behind the striker. The Brazilian, who delivered a brilliant performance against Villarreal, will be key to Liverpool’s bid to secure 3 points. If he can maintain the passing range and movement, he should prove to be a handful for Britos and Cathcart in the Watford defence.
Christian Benteke could get the nod over Daniel Sturridge and earn his first start since returning from a knee injury. The Belgian scored the Reds’ only goal last week and his aerial threat would be one the Reds’ wingers should look to exploit. A partnership of Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren could be tasked with muting the attacks from Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo. Allen and Lucas could be expected to take their roles in the centre of the park for Liverpool as the Merseysiders will look to win the midfield battle over their Watford counterparts.
Danny Ward could be expected to take over the reigns from Mignolet in goal with the Welsh shot-stopper producing some impressive displays in recent weeks. With left-back Brad Smith missing out due to suspension following last week’s red card at the Liberty Stadium, Liverpool could continue to field Alberto Moreno in that position and Clyne could be rested to give way for Conor Randall. Apart from the return of Emre Can from injury and Danny Ings’ arrival into full-training following his ACL surgery, there aren’t any additional developments as far as Liverpool’s injury list is concerned. Can, who played against Villarreal, could sit this game out with Chelsea visiting during midweek.
Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Ward, Randall, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno, Allen, Lucas, Ojo, Firmino, Ibe, Benteke
Watford
Watford have largely deployed the traditional 4-4-2 formation this season with Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo sitting up front. The Spaniard will likely go ahead with the same formation as he’ll want to have as many players in the center of the park enabling the Hornets to keep possession of the ball against an attacking Liverpool side.
Odion Ighalo’s physicality caused the Reds a lot of problems when the two sides met in the reverse fixture back in December when the Nigerian earned a brace. While Ighalo’s form has seen a downward curve recently, Troy Deeney has consistently popped up with the goals for the club when it was neededthe most. The duo will be key to Watford’s chances at Anfield. Nathan Ake is set to take his customary left-back role with Nyom guarding the opposite flank.
Miguel Britos could get a look-in to one of those center-back positions at the expense of either one of Prodl or Cathcart. Ben Watson and Mario Suarez have been a constant presence in central midfield for a while now and will likely remain that way against Liverpool too.
With no additional injuries other than Valon Behrami, who is out due to a rib problem, and Etienne Capoue, who is recovering from knee trouble, Quique Sanchez Flores has a nearly full-strength squad to choose from for the Hornets.
Starting XI (4-4-2): Gomes, Nyom, Britos, Prodl, Ake, Abdi, Suarez, Watson, Jurado, Ighalo, Deeney
Key Stats
- Liverpool have lost just one of their last 11 Premier League matches at Anfield (W5 D5 L1).
- The Hornets have scored just four goals in their last eight matches away from home.
- The Reds have not lost both games to a promoted team in the same season since 2010/11, when Blackpool beat them home and away 2-1.
- By scoring last weekend, Troy Deeney became only the second Watford player to score 10+ Premier League goals (11), after Odion Ighalo managed it earlier this campaign (14).
- Daniel Sturridge has scored in six of his last eight Premier League appearances for Liverpool (six goals in total).
Key Players
Liverpool: Roberto Firmino
After a set of average performances following his injury return in March, the Brazilian put up a spectacular display against Villarreal, showing great possession on the ball and movement off it to create a number of chances for the team. With a similar performance, the Hornets defence will have a lot to deal with on Sunday and will need to be at their best to keep him at bay.
Watford: Troy Deeney
The striker has had a great season for Watford scoring goals along with Odion Ighalo, while also powering the team through tough situations. Influential in attack, Deeney’s performance will be key if Watford are to take anything from their visit to Anfield, let alone a repeat of their heroics from the reverse fixture.
Prediction
Liverpool 2-0 Watford
Watford have been on a poor run lately, with only wins against lowly Aston Villa and West Brom to show in the last nine. The Hornets even have a poor away record and with a buoyant Liverpool waiting for them at Anfield, it seems unlikely this game would bring any cheer to Flores whose job is under increasing scrutiny.
Blast From The Past
